USA vs. Germany Preview: Win, Lose or Draw, the U.S. Should Go Through

You may be new to the World Cup, you may have hated soccer in the past for the lack of scoring and simulation ("diving") or you may have played since you were five, followed the sport religiously and watched it develop to the point where even former NFL players are going ape over it:

Whichever category you fall into, you are probably a bit concerned over the USMNT's failure to close out their match against Portugal.

Take a deep breath. Now, exhale. It's going to be all right.

The shock should have worn off by now, and you realize that, while a bit deflating, their stoppage-time draw against Portugal was not a death blow. The U.S. can still advance to the knockout stages via multiple scenarios.

Yes, the U.S. should have seen the Portugal match out. Even a Cristiano Ronaldo playing at 60 percent should have been denied space to play in his fateful perfect cross.

Geoff Cameron (Stoke City) needed not to shank the early clearance that led to Nani's sitter—Cameron also needed to man-mark Silvestre Varela (FC Porto) on the equalizing header.

Dempsey is the Dempsey of his Fulham days, playing with supreme confidence and finishing. German-born Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), not known for his scoring prowess (three goals in 44 caps for USA), showed world class in his strike against Portugal.

In his World Cup debut, substitute DeAndre Yedlin proved his salt with an end-line run and diagonal ball to Bradley, who set up Zusi's chip-cross for Dempsey's chested goal.

Klinsmann has stamped this U.S. team with something of a German imprint: crisp passing and superb linkup play from wing-backs and midfielders.

Center backs Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund) and Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) are tall, physical defenders who will be tough to break down.

The matchups and conventional wisdom may favor Germany, but on current form, the U.S. can do the job. If they can keep their nerves from jangling and eliminate some naivete at the back, this team is going to be fine.

I believe the U.S. will win, draw or lose by only one goal. Not the same ring, but you get the point.